I am planning on building a b20b with around 60k miles, i have a b16a2 head that i will be putting on it and a turbo kit. I want to run about 6 psi nothing to crazy, i only need around 220 to the wheels. I know arp head studs are a good idea but i am not so sure about a block guard i have read lots of mixed reviews about them. Id like to know if i would be pushing the stock block

 

Regular GSR head bolts will be just fine at that power level. No block guard is necessary... it will only potentially cause over-heating problems.

 

ARP head studs for piece of mind and no need for block guard.

This stock sleeve b20vtec made 453whp with no block guard, stock piston and rods, built head with CTR cams.

 

Making numbers is one thing, making an engine produce numbers and produce those numbers with reliability and longevity is entirely another thing. I'm assuming OP wants both since he's asking about the weak points of these engines.

Agreed with the above. GSR bolts are fine, OEM head gasket is fine, and DO NOT run a block guard (CSS is a loose exception, but that's really an entirely different process). 220WHP even on a B20 isn't pushing the envelope at all, just make sure you have someone experienced tune it and start off with a good kit.

 

at 220 whp i would leave out the vtec head as well, unless you plan on upgrading the rod bolts to rev it past 7.5k. keep it simple, use an oem ls/b20 head, stock head bolts, stock head gasket, sell the vtec head to buy turbo stuff.

 

I agree with this. ARP 2000 bolts if you decide to go that route.

 

I kinda disagree. The VTEC head is worth the extra cost, regardless of the power number. There are plenty of B20VTECs that don't upgrade their rod bolts for 220whp. That's actually been pretty reliably easy for about 14 years since I've been working on them. For a B20B. He's going to enjoy just going to 7500 just fine. PLUS, he won't have to worry about cylinder head porting and parts change out, (Cuz' P8R head, yo!) and be ready for any further upgrades, like possibly even just changing internals entirely to which the rods will already have the upgraded hardware he needs ready to go.